Problems with utility bills at rented property.

matnicholas

Hi everyone,


I am looking for some advice regarding my utility bills at a property I rent and live in.


I do not have access to my gas and electric metres and my landlord has been paying the utility bills since I moved in. The contract states that I am responsible for paying them and numerous requests have been made to the landlord regarding invoices for accurate bills since I moved in over 18 months ago.


I am getting really worried that a huge bill will just be dumped on me. Is there anything I can do?


Thank you,
Mat

jimjames

Do you have sole use of the property? If so how come you can see the meters? Have any of the accounts been put in your name? Surely after all this time the landlord must have been paying them or the companies would have been chasing.

Might be worth calling if you know which company it is - at least for water you would easily know. Gas or electric could be more difficult.

sequence

I hope you're not paying the landlord for these bills, when the contract says you're responsible.

Werdnal

Someone must have been paying them otherwise you'd have been cut off by now. Why do you not have access to the meters? Is it an annexe off a main house? If so, it should really be separately metered so you know you are paying a genuine amount (I think it is now illegal for a LL to profit from utility charges).

Are you paying your own council tax?

matnicholas

“Do you have sole use of the property?”

I have sole use of the apartment but not the property as a whole.


“If so how come you can’t see the meters?”


I live in a large property that has been converted into apartments. The metres are locked away in the basement.


“Have any of the accounts been put in your name?”


Gas and electric is in my landlord’s name. Water is in mine and I have paid it up to date.


“Surely after all this time the landlord must have been paying them or the companies would have been chasing.”


Yes, the landlord is paying the gas and electric. When I first moved in the landlord tried to get me to pay a set flat fee every month. The amount he asked for was extortionate, so I refused and asked for accurate metre readings and bills. He said there was a problem with the metres and couldn’t yet provide me with what I asked. I have asked him every month since for them and about 7 months ago he told me the metres were fixed. However, since then he has blamed the property management company and still hasn’t done anything.


“I hope you're not paying the landlord for these bills, when the contract says you're responsible.”


I did pay him as first but it got extortionate.


“Are you paying your own council tax?”



Yes, I have been paying my own council tax.

matnicholas

As I said I am getting really worried that a huge bill will just be dumped on me and is there anything I can do about it?

G_M

Your requests for meter readings etc - have these been formal, in writing, or just verbal requests?

Have you ever had a meter reading? When you moved in, was there an inventory, did it include meter readings, and did you sign it?

If you have never had a reading, then if/when you receive a 'huge bill', write to the LL saying you believe he has made a mistake with the initial reading - since he is apparantly responsible, it is up to him to prove the reading at start and end of tenancy (or at whatever point he bills you.

On a separate note - is this an HMO? How many 'apartments' are there? Are these all self-contained or are services, utilities, areas shared? An HMO requires special council approval and extra requirements.

Have you paid a deposit, and, assuming you are in Eng/Wales, is it protected?

matnicholas

Thanks G_M

"Your requests for meter readings etc - have these been formal, in writing, or just verbal requests?"

The request have been made in writing via e-mail.

"Have you ever had a meter reading? When you moved in, was there an inventory, did it include meter readings, and did you sign it?"

No we have never had a metre reading and there wasnt an inventory. I therefore made my own inventory, but as the metres werent available I couldnt make a note of this.

My apartment is not a HMO. Each apartment is owned by a different landlord and should have their own metres.

dancingfairy

It might be worth trying to get a bit of legal advice but if you've not been allowed sight of the meters for an initial reading, can't get the landlord to give you the details so you can get it put in your name then how can it be your fault?
I presume your landlord would have to sue you to prove that you owe the bills and haven't paid at which point you could rely on your evidence of all the emails but not sure how sucessful this would be or not which is why you need a bit of legal advice if possible.
Have you got any other problems? It might be worth looking for somewhere else that's not as complicated?
df

theartfullodger

I'd be very very surprised to find that you are not allowed (legally) to view the meters..registering your supply... Call your suppliers (assuming you know who they are - and \lso are the accounts in your name>??)

Apart from anything else, the opportunity for fraud is kinda large if you can't check..